Clippers prepare for Mavericks

The Clippers fell down hard Wednesday on the first date of this five-game trip, losing to a New Orleans Pelicans team that was injury-riddled.

Now the Clippers will try to pick up the pieces tonight when they face the Dallas Mavericks in a back-to-back game.

The Clippers have won both meetings with Dallas this season, outscoring the Mavericks, 16-2, in the final 3 minutes, 51 seconds to win a game on the road and then erasing a 17-point deficit in 4:30 to get the win at Staples Center.

But the Clippers are struggling some right now, going 2-2 in their last four games.

And they will face a Mavericks team that is playing for its playoff life.

The Mavs are tied with the Phoenix Suns at 43-29, but Dallas is in the ninth spot in the Western Conference and out of the playoffs right now.

Dallas has won five of its last seven games.

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broderick.turrner@latimes.com

Twitter:@BA_Turner